Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas are finally speaking out about the backlash surrounding their giveaway attempt.
Earlier in the season, the Dancing With the Stars couple launched a giveaway for a lucky fan to win tickets to a live taping.
However, shortly after posting the video, they were ordered by ABC and BBC to remove it.
On October 24, Whitney and Mark posted an apology video, making it clear the decision was completely out of their hands.
Yet, the comment section lit up with accusations of bribery and claims they were trying to win favor with an audience that already wasn’t on Whitney’s side.
The duo ended up being eliminated the episode before the finale.
Meaning, fans never got to see their highly anticipated freestyle — the dance that could’ve won them the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
ABC and Call Her Daddy teamed up to release a version of what we might’ve seen.
They also unpacked their polarizing season.
Ballroom Ticket Blunder
Mark took the brunt of the responsibility when addressing the ticket scandal.
“When this came up, I promise it was super innocent,” Mark said.
“All my energy was going into Marathon Week.”
Whitney echoed that sentiment, adding “it wasn’t their tickets to give away.”
They also both agreed they should’ve asked the higher-ups before promising the experience.
“I’ll take accountability for that because I’ve been on the show for so long. In the moment — three dances, five days to do it — I just didn’t think.”
Whitney and Mark already had a target on their backs from day one, and the giveaway backlash certainly didn’t help them with the popular vote.
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